Rehabbed homes proposed as part of new Sonoma hotel

Previously approved by the City as vacation rentals, the three houses being remodeled on Sonoma’s downtown West Napa Street would instead become part of a nine-room hotel in a plan going to the Planning Commission next week.

Owner Michael Marino calls for the construction of a new two-story building at the rear of the property to house six, one-bedroom guest suites and an attached reception building. A demolition permit has already been approved for a duplex and garage that now occupy that area.

Work on the existing structures is underway at 158-172 West Napa Street. The 30,000 sq. ft. lot consists of two adjoining parcels. The remodeled houses will fit out at 1,500 sq. ft. each, with two bedrooms, two baths, living area and full kitchen.

“My vision for the property is to merge the two parcels and create a beautiful boutique hotel,” Marino told the Planning Commission. Named Hawker Square, the project takes its name from the home at 158 West Napa, known as the Hawker House.

Marino said it is a “historical home and is being restored following Historical Preservation Guidelines.” The end result will be the feeling of early century historic Sonoma in a village setting, he said.

“It has been extremely important for this to be modest in scale, magnificent in style and true to the heritage of Sonoma,” he said.

The Planning Commission meets Thursday, September 8, 6:30 p.m. at the Community Meeting Room, 177 First Street West.